-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- Michael Jackson was the pride of Gary , Indiana , growing up , and on Friday , his hometown paid tribute to the late entertainer with a memorial and celebration in his honor .

A group pays tribute to Michael Jackson by performing some of his signature moves .

They remembered him as not just the King of Pop or the musician who took Hollywood by storm , but as someone with an unmatched enthusiasm and talent for entertaining even as a little boy growing up in this city of about 100,000 in northwestern Indiana , 30 miles from downtown Chicago , Illinois .

Jackson 's first music teacher , Anita Hill , spoke of teaching Jackson to sing `` Climb Every Mountain , '' and remembered him as a `` very energetic and wonderful student . ''

The principal of his middle school remembered how , at Christmastime how Jackson , always jumped up and offered to sing to his class .

Later , when he joined with family members to create the Jackson 5 , he performed for kids at his school , the principal said , joking about the bargain that at the time it only cost them 10 cents to see the future pop icon .

Gary Mayor Rudy Clay noted Jackson put the city on the world 's map and bid farewell to the star .

`` He 's going to put on those golden slippers and he 's going to dance all over God 's heaven , '' he said .

The tribute at The Steel Yard baseball park in Gary was full of children dancing and singing to Jackson 's music , including a performance of `` Thriller '' complete with the cemetery scene that became so iconic .

Some of the biggest applause of the night came after a video was played of Jackson in Gary talking about his love for his hometown .

`` Gary , you will always have a special place in my heart , '' Jackson said in the video played on the stadium 's jumbo screen . `` And Gary , you are more than good friend -- you are my family and you always will be . ''

As a finale , about 700 people holding candles sang `` We Are the World , '' the 1985 song Jackson co-wrote with Lionel Richie to benefit USA for Africa .

Jackson lived in Gary for 11 years before moving to the West Coast after the Jackson 5 recorded their first album in 1969 .

His father , Joe Jackson , made a brief appearance after being introduced by the Rev. Jesse Jackson .

After being surrounded by TV crews and photographers , Joe Jackson made his way to the stage , thanked everyone for attending and said it was good to be home .

`` This is a pleasure to be back to see so many people here , '' Joe Jackson said . `` It 's always good to come back home , you know that . ''

Fans have flocked to Jackson 's boyhood home in the days following his death in Los Angeles , California , on June 25 . Autopsy results are pending .

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Joe Jackson : `` It 's always good to come back home ''

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Teachers , neighbors remember energetic boy full of talent

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Children , groups sing and dance to pay tribute to Jackson